Tree-killing insects could make it here

The beetle-like insect attacks ash trees by boring into the bark to feed, which cuts off the nutrients, killing the tree from the top down.

Though the pest hasn't yet been identified in Cleveland County, it's made its way into the surrounding counties of Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba and Mecklenburg, Craig Oliver, assistant county ranger, said.

The Emerald Ash Borer originated in eastern Russia, northern China, Japan and Korea and was not seen in the United States until 2002. It was first identified in North Carolina in 2013 and has since spread to 25 counties.

Oliver said the insect is often times spread through infected wood that was chopped and transported across county and state lines.

"If firewood was cut in another county, and that tree was infected and brought here, that could spread it," he said.

Lance Walheim, a horticulturalist, tree care expert and spokesperson for Bayer Advanced in Raleigh, said though the adults only travel a few miles, the transport of wood makes it nearly impossible to stop the pest from spreading.

"I would say it's almost a sure thing, that it'll spread," he said. "It's only a matter of time."

Walheim said that residents can, however, take steps to help protect ash trees on their property.

"There are products you can use to protect your ash trees," he said. "You have to get it on early enough, but if you’re in an area where you think the tree is threatened, within 10 to 15 of an infected area, you should treat your trees."

Walheim said that while ash trees only make up about two percent of the state's tree population, it's important to do everything possible to contain the Emerald Ash Borer.

"It's a devastating pest that can wipe out the ash tree population," he said. "If you’ve got a really valuable ash tree, you want to try to protect it if you can."

Elise Franco can be reached at 704-669-3337 or efranco@shelbystar.com.